RE: Big Yes for Formulaic Writing

[Robin R Wright <rrwright@utkux.utcc.utk.edu>]

Everyone,
This discussion is both fascinating and disturbing.  Personally, I abhor
the 5P theme and spend a great deal of time when teaching 101 and 102
trying to dissuade my students from using it.  However, if they must they
must, and if the content is adequate, I don't fault them for it (although
I do cry into my pillow at night).

I agree with most of you who argue against teaching the 5P.  However,
since we work in writing centers, our job is to teach the student whatever
his/her instructor wants, isn't it?  As much as we'd love for students to
write for the love of expression, what they really want is a good grade,
right?

The most difficult part of running the writing center, for me, is dealing
with assignments from the 150 teachers in our English dept. who all
require different things.  We in the center have to learn which
instructors teach the 5P, persuasive format, modes (ugh!!), etc and help
the student accordingly. I often feel I'm selling out my personal
pedagogical ideals in the process, but I need to give the student what the
student needs.  They depend on that.  Can we afford to proffer our own
teaching methods in the center at the expense of the student?  Many
instructors make me cringe and pull my hair out by the roots, but my job
is to keep the student from seeing the pain I feel when I read over their
writing assignment.

OK, so I'm venting.  I just wanted to see what everyone REALLY DOES in the
center when the various formulas are presented as the only way to
write-not by students but by their instructors.

Your colleague and self-confessed sell-out,
Robin Wright
Writing Center
Athletics Department  
University of Tennessee